Y1- Jeffers Class
Welcome to Jeffers Class!
Hello and a very warm welcome to Year 1!
I am Mrs. Oakley, and I have the absolute pleasure of being your child’s teacher this year in Jeffers Class, named after the much-loved children’s author Oliver Jeffers. His stories inspire wonder and curiosity—just like we hope to do in our classroom every day!
This year is a special one—it marks your child’s exciting journey into Key Stage 1, where they will begin to build greater independence, explore new learning opportunities, and grow in confidence. I cannot wait to get to know each and every child and watch them thrive throughout the year.
Autumn Term Topic: "Home Sweet Home"
Our first topic of the year is all about exploring our roots—who we are, where we belong, and how it all connects to the past.
We will be focusing on:
Person: Me
Place: John Burns Primary School
Point: 1858
What We Are Learning This Term
English - We will dive into the charming story Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett. Children will learn to build well-structured sentences and use coordinating conjunctions to add detail. They will also retell the story in their own words, focusing on the key elements: beginning, middle, and end.
Maths - We will be building strong number skills this year! In the autumn term, we will work on addition and subtraction, place value using tens and ones, and begin exploring 2D and 3D shapes. As we progress, we will step into multiplication and division.
Science - Our science lessons will be full of discovery! We’re learning all about animals (including humans), classifying different types, and exploring the parts of the human body—plus why our senses are so important. We will also observe and learn about the changing seasons throughout the year.
Homework - Homework will be shared every Friday.
It will include:
A maths task linked to the week’s learning
- An English task to choose out of 10.
- Weekly spellings linked to the week’s phonics
- A reading book
We ask that children read for at least 10 minutes daily at home. Please help by recording this in their reading record and signing it—your support makes a huge difference!
PE Days & Uniform
PE will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Please make sure all uniform and PE kit items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. We also encourage independence—practising getting dressed and undressed at home will really help your child feel confident when changing for PE at school.
A Bit About Me
This is my third year at John Burns, and I am delighted to be back in Year 1!
As a local resident and mum of two, I treasure the close-knit community our school offers. Before becoming a teacher, I worked in Law and Finance, but found my true passion in education.
Creativity plays a big part in my life—I love painting, experimenting with new art techniques, and writing poetry that celebrates the little moments. You’ll often find me cycling around our local area or getting lost in a good book.
I’m truly excited for all the learning, laughter, and growth that lies ahead this year—and feel very lucky to be a part of your child’s journey.
Communication
If you ever have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat about your child’s progress, please do not hesitate to get in touch via the school office, or catch me at the end of the school day.
Here’s to a fantastic year together in Jeffers Class!
Warmest wishes,
Mrs. Oakley